[Pregnancy and the thyroid gland]

The authors assessed, using ultrasonography, the volume of the thyroid gland in 93 women 4 days and then 3 and 6 months after parturition. The results were compared with a control group of women who were not delivered of a baby during the last 12 months. Women 4 days after delivery had on average a thyroid gland by 3.1 ml larger (P < 0.01) than controls. Three months after delivery there was still a significant difference in the volume between women who had a baby and the control group (P < 0.05). Goitre (volume larger than 22 ml) was observed after childbirth in 11 (11.8%), where as in the control group only in 3 women (5.3%). The authors analyze the causes which may bring about enlargement of the thyroid gland during pregnancy.